To buy or DIY, that is the question… At least, that’s often the question for us gals and guys here at Brit HQ. When it comes to patterned rugs, there are SO many gorgeous options out there — that are also way too pricy. So we thought to ourselves, why not save a few bucks and paint our own patterned rug? For today’s installment of #31DaysofDIY, we’ll show you how to give a plain old rug a fun facelift on the cheap. It’s easier than you think, we promise :) Now, let’s get to it!
No idea what #31DaysofDIY is? It’s a brand new tradition here at Brit + Co that’s all about kicking off 2015 right. We’ve challenged ourselves to make or learn something new every single day for the month of January, and we’re inviting all of you along for the ride. From DIY basics like Sewing 101 to learning to design and laser cut our own stencils, we hope this month of making inspires you to make all year long.
Tools + Materials:
– rug in a solid color (we used this 2-foot x 3-foot Sisal rug)
– fabric paint (2 colors)
– paintbrushes
– printable stencil template (download here)
– cardboard
– Sharpie pen
– measuring tape
– scissors
Instructions
1. Print and cut out our stencil template, then trace it onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out the cardboard stencil.
2. Measure your rug to determine where to paint. Use a Sharpie pen to trace the cardboard template onto your rug. Repeat until you’ve traced all of your patterns.
3. Using your first fabric paint color, outline the inside of each pattern, making sure you cover your Sharpie marks. Let dry.
4. Outline the painted line with your second fabric paint color. Let dry. Voilà!
First, download and print out our nifty stencil template. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, create your own template — the shape options are endless here.
Cut out the template and trace it onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out your cardboard shape.
Next up, determine where you’ll paint on the pattern. We used a 2-foot x 3-foot rug and decided that three staggered rows of shapes would look the best. With a Sharpie pen, stencil in a row in the very middle of the rug, ensuring that there is equal space between each stencil. Next, stencil in the outside rows.
Pro Tip: To evenly space apart each row, measure from the outermost point of the middle line’s stencil to the edge of your rug. The halfway point of this distance will be the line that the stencil should follow.
Time to paint! Using your first fabric paint color, outline the inside of each stencil, ensuring you cover your Sharpie pen line. If your rug has a lot of depth, you can paint into the nooks and crannies with a smaller paintbrush. Let dry.
Lookin’ good, eh?
Next up, outline your painted lines with your second fabric paint color. We chose a bubblegum pink to give our rug a fun lil’ pop. Let dry. You’re done!
Now THAT is one rad rug. Bright colors and repeating patterns FTW.
Have you ever painted a rug? If so, be sure to snap a photo and share it to Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter using the hashtag #31DaysofDIY. We’ll feature our favorite projects and makers throughout the month of January here on Brit + Co.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.